Close Grip Push Up

1. Start in a high plank with your hands directly under your chest, placed closer than shoulder width apart.
2. Form a straight line from your head to your heels, squeezing your glutes and bracing your abs.
3. Lower your chest toward your hands, keeping your elbows tucked close to your ribs.
4. Descend until your chest is a fist height from the floor, elbows pointing backward, not flaring out.
5. Press through your palms to push back up, feeling the triceps drive the movement.
6. Lock out your elbows fully at the top without letting your hips sag or pike.
7. Repeat for 8 to 20 reps depending on your strength level.

Common Mistakes

• Flaring the elbows: Elbows drifting out to the sides shifts stress off the triceps and onto the shoulders. Keep them brushing your ribs.
• Sagging hips: A dropped midsection strains the lower back and shortens the range. Hold a rigid plank from head to heels.
• Half reps: Stopping well above the floor cheats the triceps at their hardest range. Touch a fist height above the floor every rep.
• Hands too far forward: Placing the hands ahead of the chest turns the push up into a shoulder dominant movement. Stack them under the lower chest.